
Stocks started Thursday on a quiet note, but then jolted higher as investors digested global central bank news and a busy day of U.S. economic data that included stronger-than-expected retail sales figures.
Following yesterday's pause on rate hikes from the Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank (ECB) overnight raised interest rates by a quarter-percentage point. Additionally, ECB President Christine Lagarde said the central bank is "very likely" to lift rates again at its July meeting.